Slalom

This film can easily be considered as a sport movie, but with many other elements involved in it, not only training and performances. This is mostly the relationship between a coach and his teen athlete whom he is in charge of. Good character study, very smart, intelligent and accurate. Acting and directing flawless, especially Jeremy Renier, excellent in this role. There were not so many movies in the French film industry speaking of skiing. In the USA you had DOWNHILL RACER, the most famous, but in France, I don't see another feature. That doesn't mean there is not any...Simple scheme, already told before, but here brilliantly done, I repeat. Could also have been made as a short movie; but it is of course better as a long length. And as a first picture, it is very promising. A female director to follow.

It seems to me that the approach on the subject was an excellent decision, the way the story shows you moments that could make us think in one way and then others that destabilize the ideas already formed. What I enjoyed the most was the direction! As at many times it was fierce, elegant, bold and captivating.

Lyz Lopez is 15 years old. She has started studying at a boarding school. The students have some things in common. They are all promising young skiers. And yes, in addition to the usual studies, they also practice skiing. Fred, the skiing coach, is a former skiing champion. He sees huge potential in Lyz. Therefore, he gives her much more attention than the other students. But the road to becoming a professional skier turns out to be tough. How far is Lyz willing to go to succeed? Does she have what it takes?

I´m not a parent now. But I´m an aunt. I think that an adult should care about what the child needs and wants. I think that I care about that. And I also think that Lyz is searching after a father figure. Where is her biological father? And her mother´s parenting is, in my honest opinion, quite sloppy. Does she really care about her daughter´s well-being? And Fred seems to be living his own skiing dream through Lyz. Why, Fred? Why? Help me understand you.

I missed more clarity and girl power in "Slalom". I´m not sure who I would recommend this movie to. Maybe for those who love skiing?

Much like the classic Enid Blyton books, perhaps it requires the parents to be conveniently absent to allow the story to play out, but I must say that I found the mother's semi-attached role to be the least convincing here. Her almost complete lack of interest at the beginning makes it too easy to lay the blame at her door, whereas the reality is rather more complex and nuanced - which I think the film (and the rest of the cast) does very well to illustrate and explore. Given the content, I guess they were never going to use a real 15-year old to play the lead, but apart from the unconvincing age I think the lead here is excellent, as are the cinematography and sports content.

Recommended.

Stunningly cold cinematography coupled with the isolated setting really exemplifies themes of helplessness, isolation and control. It may be disturbingly intimate at times but this helps the film explore the subject matter like no-one has done before. You really have to work hard but the pay off is waiting for you. But not if you're American